The Maryland House of Delegates has approved its version of a gun control bill backed by Governor Martin OÆMalley.

The vote was 78-61.

All of the delegates voting in favor of the bill were Democrats.

Eighteen Democrats joined the 43 Republicans in the House of Delegates in voting against the bill.

The late Wednesday afternoon vote came after delegates debated the bill for more than 11 hours over the last two days.

Although delegates made changes to the bill, supporters say the major provisions of this legislation remain intact.

These include a ban on assault style weapons, a limit on gun magazine clips to 10 rounds, limits on access to guns by the mentally ill, and a requirement that handgun buyers submit fingerprints and obtain a license from the Maryland State Police.

The bill now goes back to the State Senate which either must approve the changes the House made, or form a conference committee with the House to work out a compromise before the legislative session ends for the year on Monday night.

House Speaker Michael Busch told reporters after the vote that he believes the Senate will approve the House changes.

"It was a very emotional issue. It polarized a lot of people. A lot of it breaks down on geography, and where individuals live, you can tell, but I think there's some very significant issues that will help with the quality of live in the communities," Busch told reporters.

House Minority Leader Tony O'Donnell called the bill "deeply flawed."

Earlier in the day Wednesday, the House Judiciary and Health and Government Operations removed an amendment added to the bill last week that would have allowed members of the Maryland Defense Force to be exempt from the bill, including the assault weapons ban and the requirement that handgun purchasers be fingerprinted and obtain a license.

In a letter obtained by WBAL News, Maj. Gen James Adkins told the chairmen of the committees that the Maryland Defense Force is a volunteer organization that provides professional support to the Maryland National Guard.

Adkins told the lawmakers that he opposes the exemption.

"Many have no military training and there is no requirement that they carry weapons as part of their duty. As an organization they do not have weapons; do not train on weapons, and do not have the responsibility to carry weapons in the execution of their support to the Maryland National Guard," Adkins wrote in his letter.

"This group of fine men and women are not a group in need of an exemption from the provisions of the Firearm Safety Act of 2013."

The amendment was one of a number of amendments sponsored by Republican Delegate Mike McDermott.

The committees approved taking out the amendment, as well as several others.

One amendment would have allowed members of the military under 21 to possess weapons that are banned under the law.

Attorneys for the O'Malley Administration told the committees that under federal law anyone under 21 is not allowed to buy a weapon that is regulated, like a handgun.

The committees also approved an amendment that was rejected by the House of Delegates last night.

Under the amendment an off duty police officer would be allowed to carry a weapon on school property, if they are visiting or picking up their own child.

Another amendment would bar anyone from being sentenced to probation before judgment from possessing any weapon, unless their criminal record has been expunged.

Roll Call of House Vote

Here's how members of the Maryland House of Delegates voted for a gun-control measure. The vote was 78-61. A vote of 71 was needed.